Margaret "Pearl" Elizabeth (McAllister) Burbine

With gratitude and love for a life well-lived, the family announces the peaceful passing on April 10, 2019 in Maplestone Enhanced Care, Halifax, of our sweet mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, wife, sister and friend. Pearl was born in Winnipeg in 1927 to Samuel and Mary Mc- Allister. The family moved to Victoria when Pearl was a young teenager where she enjoyed many happy years in a beautiful home with lush gardens tended to by her dear Uncle Frank. In 1949, through friends, she met a handsome Nova Scotian born sailor named Bob and their 59 year journey began. They married in 1950 and moved to Halifax where Pearl worked for the provincial government until the birth of their first daughter Debbie in 1952. In June 1953, they moved to the then brand new naval housing complex Shannon Park. It was there that they began relationships with other navy families that to this day, 69 years later, are still strong. They welcomed daughter Sandie in 1954 as well as moving into one of the first houses on Woodland Avenue in Dartmouth. In 1964, she re-joined the work force as a secretary at the Dartmouth Schools Administration Office, a career she enjoyed for 25 years, retiring as the administrative assistant to the Superintendent of schools. She was well-respected and loved by her colleagues. In her retirement, she took the initiative to create the Secretaries Lunch Group, which met monthly for many years. Her hobbies included bowling, curling and doing daily cryptoquotes, submitting them to the paper in hopes of winning some cash. Pearl volunteered at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, ensuring the perfect church bulletin every week as well as FOOD. She was blessed with five grandchildren who affectionately called her "Grammie Pearlie" and enjoyed Sunday night dinner at her always beautifully set table every week, a tradition that still lives on in the family. She was very proud of all her grandchildren and their many accomplishments, spending countless hours with them. Pearl was a kind, considerate and compassionate soul with a heart of gold. She will be deeply missed by her daughters, Debbie (David Cooke), granddaughters, Julia and Jillian; and daughter, Sandie (Paul Currie), grandson, Craig (Chantelle LeJeune); great-granddaughters, Keira, Aria and Isla and grandsons, Kirk and Nick. She was predeceased by her parents; sister, Frances; and husband, Bob. Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, July 27th at 11am in St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church. There are not enough words to thank the staff at Maplestone Enhanced Care, Evans Court, for their kindness, compassion and love for our Mom - they are angels on earth. Pearl's Sunday dinner table is already full in heaven. Donations can be made to Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia or the charity of your choice.